New Sky Blues coach John Strange on Wednesday picked eight fresh faces from outside the squad that lost the series to Queensland last year, including four that will make their debut.
Rachael Pearson's Origin future is in extreme doubt after being replaced by Southwell at halfback following a poor series last year, while previous five-eighth Corban Baxter is still recovering from an ACL tear.
Penitani Gray has beaten out-and-out half Kirra Dibb to the five-eighth spot, despite never previously starting in the halves in an Origin or NRLW match.
Dibb has been listed on the extended bench for the series opener in Brisbane next Thursday.
Strange would also not rule out calling teenage playmaker Kasey Reh up for a whirlwind Origin debut if the surprise new halves pairing misfired.
"The girls who'll be picked for Origin one, they've got to perform to keep their spots because there's exceptional players in our squad of 30 that have missed out," Strange said.
"They understand that they've got to respect the jersey and respect the fact that they've got the night in Origin one."
Excitement that Dragons young gun half Reh could break into her first senior Origin squad on Wednesday was quashed after Strange revealed she carried an injury into the earlier camp.
"She came in with an injury and couldn't really get through our training block, but she still attended every session," Strange said.
The Sky Blues also have a new fullback in Parramatta's Abbi Church, who pushes incumbent custodian Emma Verran (née Tonegato) onto the bench.
Jayme Fressard, Ellie Johnston and Jocelyn Kelleher are the three other debutants, while Kennedy Cherrington and Shaylee Bent have earnt recalls into Origin camp.
Isabelle Kelly has been elevated as the lone captain after sharing the duties with forward Kezie Apps in 2024.
"I think this year it's a different sort of role, but I love leading, I love leading by example, I love doing this for my teammates," Kelly said.
Penitani Gray will step into the role of vice-captain for the series.
Incumbent forwards Millie Elliott and Caitlan Johnston-Green will miss the 2025 series through pregnancy while winger Jaime Chapman has recovered from a fractured vertebrae in time for the opener.
Taliah Fuimaono, Grace Kemp and Jakiya Whitfeld are the other members of the 2024 squad to miss out for game one.
The NSW Sky Blues:
Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Kennedy Cherrington, Abbi Church, Yasmin Clydsdale, Keeley Davis, Kirra Dibb, Jayme Fressard, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Jocelyn Kelleher, Isabelle Kelly, Olivia Kernick, Tiana Penitani Gray, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Emma Verran.
